Understanding Anxiety: What It Is, Causes & How It Works

Anxiety is a natural emotion regulated by the autonomic nervous system, preparing the body for fight, flight or freeze. It becomes a problem when worry is excessive, persistent, and starts interfering with daily life. The causes of anxiety are multifactorial: genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors (imbalances in serotonin, noradrenaline and GABA), environmental factors (trauma, chronic stress) and psychological factors (negative thought patterns). Understanding how anxiety actually works — from the neurotransmitters involved to how it shows up in your body and behaviour — is the first step toward managing it well. The articles below break down the science of anxiety in plain language.